Silencer for firearms.



W. R. GRAY SILENGER FOR FIREARMS.

APPLICATION nun 23.16, 1910.

Patented July 8, 1913.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

WILLIS n. GRAY, or OAKTON, VIRGINIA.

sILENcER FOR FIBEABMS.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Application filed February 16, 1910, Serial No. 544,173.

Toallw/wm it may concern."

Be it known that I, V LLi'sYR. GRAY, a

citizen of the United States, residing at practically so by causing a gradual' release of the exploded gases ator'be'yond' the muzzle, and it has for its object to provide an improved device ofthis character whichis relatively simple and inexpensive in construction an'dwhich inuse is capable of (ll-- ycrtirfg the gases at high pressurefrom thc rear of the projectile after the latter has left. theinuzzle of the firearm and conducting the gases so diverted into a'suitablenuinber of appropriately distributed expansion chain: begs wherein the are gradually reduced in pressure beforethey are permitted to es cape to the atmosphere, the constr action and relative arrangement of the gas diverters and expansion chambers being such that the, projectile in its flight is notretarded or deflected and the sound ofthe discharge and the recoil of thefirea rm are-reduced to a.

minimum owing to-the relatively large capacity afforded by the expansion chambers within arelatively small compass.

- To these and other ends, the invention consists in certain improvements, and combinations and arrangements of parts, all as will be hereinafter more fully described, the novel features pointed outparticularly' in the claims at the end of the specification.

In the accompanying drawing: Figure 1 is a front elevation of a silencer-constructed in accordance with one embodiment of my invention, the form shown being adapted for use in connection with rifles; Fig. 2 is a side-elevation ofthedevice; Fig. 3 represcnis a central longitudinal section thereof; Fig. 1 represents a transverse section; and '5 is a detail perspective view of'one of the gas-diverting elements of the device.

Similar parts are designated by the same reference characters in the several views.

Silencers constructed in. accordance with my present invention are capable of use in connection with firearms of different kinds. In the accompanying-drawing, I have shown the form which I prefer to use in connection with rifles using a single projectile. Itwill be understood, however, 'thatvthe form shown is given as an example of one em-' bodiment of the invention and in practice it may be found desirable. or necessary to.

make certain slight changes in the construe tion or relative arrangement of the parts in order to adapt the device to firearms of different classes or sizes. Certain constructions may also be used which willbe the equivalents of that shown in the drawing. For these reasons, the claims will not be limited to the precise construction shown in the drawing.

A In the present instance, the device is es 'pccially adapted for use in connection' with ritles using a single or solid projectile, and

I shall describe such construction specifically as an example of one embodiment of the invention. In this instance, the device com- Patented July 8, 19 13.

prises a-tube or casing 1,the bore of which 7 is adapted to be arranged in aline nent with i I the barrel of the firearim'the muzzle portion 2 of the fircargn being shown conventionally in the drawing, Any suitable means may be provided for detach ably connecting thedeviee tothe firearm, a thread connection 3 being shown in'the' drawing. This tube'provides a passage for the projecti-leafter leaving the muzzle of the firearm and it also contains devices for divertingthc gases following the projectile and at high pressure, from a longitudinal or axial path to paths transverse to the length of the tube, the diverted'gases being then received by the expansion chambers to' be hereinafter described.- I provide a suitable number of longitudinally spaced gas diverters within the tube and each jdivcrter preferably consists-of a septum or diaphragm portion '1 having an aperture 5 to provide an unobstructed, assagefor the projectile .therethrough, an a sleeve-likc portion 6. In order to eilec tuallysdivert the gases from a path in alinementwiththe muzzle and in a direction to effectively conduct such gases into'the expa' -is ion chambers, the septum or diaphragi n portion of each diverter is preferably in'the formof a truncated cone, the wall of each septum or diaphragm being presented .to the axis of the tube 1 at an angleof 45 or approximately so, the apices of the septums or dia phragms being all directed toward the rear of the device or toward the muzzle of the firearm. The gas diverters are all assembled Bob within the tube 1 and are preferably clamped firmly in position to prevent rattling'. In the construction shown, these diverters may be placed into. the forward end of the tube one at a time and the sleeve-like portions 6 will serve as spacers for maintaining the various gas diverters in properly spaced relation. The forward end of the tube 1 is closed, except for the passage for the projectile, by a plug 7 which may be threaded or otherwise suitably fitted to the tube and has an aperture 8 for the exit 'of the projectile, this aperture 8 being of course in alinement with the apertures 5 of the gas diverters and is also in alinement with the bore of the firearm. The rear side of this plug 7 is also preferably formed as a truncated cone in order that'it may also serve as agas diverter, and when this plug is in serted and fastened, it not only prevents the direct escape of the high pressure gases from the forward end of the tube, but it also clamps the several gas diverters firmly within the tube. The thrust of the rearmost gas diverter may be sustained in any appropriate Way by the tube 1, the latter being shown in the present instance as having a reduced bore 1 toward its rear end which forms an abutment or thrust shoulder 9 against which the rearmost gas diverter bears. "I

The high pressure gas which is diverted from the rear of the projectile as the latter passes through the silencer is conducted into expansion chambers of improved construc-' tion which are located exteriorly ofthe'tube 1. In the present instance,.these expansion chambers are in the form of tubes 10 which are applied in a suitable way to the exterior of the tube '1 and extend longitudinally thereof. Any suitable number of these tubes may be provided in order that the capacity of the expansion spacev provided thereby is suflicient to properly 'expand the high pressuregas .and thereby minimize the sound of the discharge. In the\presentinstance, these tubes 10 are placed in close relation about the tube 1, but the two-adjacent tubes at the top of the device are separated a distance suflicient to afford an unobstructed sight opening 11 which is in. alinement with the sights on the firearm. Suitable communication is provided between these tubes 10 which form the gas expansion chambers and the central tube which contains the gas diverters. In the present instance, the tube'l'is provided with sets of ports, the ports 12 of each set being spaced eircumferentially of the tube 1, one port being provided for each tube 10 and the sets of ports are spaced longitudinally of the tube 1, one set of ports being provided for each gas diverter. Continuations of the ports 12 form inlet passages to the tubes 10 which form the gas expansion chambers, and the inlet passage for each expansion chamber high pressure into each expansion chamber in a tangential direction, each expansion chamber is capable of receiving the maximum volume of gas with a minimum back pressure, the gas being trapped in these expansion chambers in such a way that it cannot return to the central tube until after its pressure has been materially reduced.

Between the ports 12, the unperforatedportions 13 of the central tube form partitions which prevent the passage of gas at high pressure from the rear side to the forward side of each gas diverter or, in other words, these dividing partitions compel the high pressure gases to pass directly to the expansion chambers. The sleeve-like portions 6 of the gas diverters are of course provided wit-h ports 12 which register with the ports 12 in. the tube 1 and to lnsure such registration, any suitable means may be provided such, for instance, as a ,rib 14 upon the'sleeve-like portion of each diverter, the several ribs upon the diverters being arranged to slidingly enter a longitudinal groove 15 which may be formed'at a suitable point within the tube 1.

The gas expansion chambers are preferably provided with suitable means for preventing the high pressure gas from flowing longitudinally therein or from short-circuiting directly between one set of ports 12 and another set of such ports. In the present instance, I have shown each gas expansion chamber as provided with a series of longitudinally spaced partitions 16 which are carried by a longitudinally extending spacing rod 17, the partitions being located between each set of ports 12. The ends of each tube 10 may be closed by threaded or other suitable plugs 18 andthese plugs may bear upon the ends of the spacing rod 17 and thereby clamp the partitions as a unit in proper position within the expansion chamber.

In operation, the projectile leaving the muzzle of the firearm passes directly through the apertured gas diverters or deflectors and the aperture at the forward end of the device without being deflected or retarded in any manner by the silencer. The gases following the projectile at high pressure have an initial direction in alinement with the bore of the firearm but when'such gas enters the relatively larger tube, it ex pands in diameter, and the outer portion of the somewhat expanded body of I gas is caught by the angularly disposed diverters or deflectors, each diverter taking upaproportion of the gas and directing it through the ports of the inner tube and into the expanding tubes or chambers wherein the gas is divided into charges which are dis- .tributed .bhtween the expanding chambers andthereb'y expanded materially before it can. return to, the inner tube and finally escape to the atmosphere, the deflection and the-divis'on and expansion of the gas within sudden release. of the. exploded gases and thus-minimizing the sound of the discharge.

,adapted for attachment to the muzzle tudinal rows of ports in its I claim-as my invention: v 1. A n silencer comprising a tlbe o a gun and provided'with a plurality of lon iwall for tile discharge of the exploded gases, and a plurality of non'communicating gas-expanding chambers located exteriorly of said tube, each chamber being individual to one longitudinal row of ports and having its lateral wall curved about an axis located exteriorly of saidtube, said chambers having inlet passages in. their lateral walls which connect them to receive and. expand charges of the exploded gases discharged through the respective longitudinal rows of ports.

2. A silencer for firearms comprising a tube adapted for attachment to the muzzle of a firearm and containing a set of longitudinally spaced gas-diverting devices, saidtube also having a plurality oflongitudinal rows of ports in its wall, and a plurality of non-communicating gas-expanding chambers grouped circumferentially on the exterior of said tube and having tangential inlet passages in their lateral walls to re ceive individual charges of gas from the longitudinal rows of ports, the wall of each gas-expanding chamber being curved transversely about an axis located exteriorly of said tube.

A silencer for firearms comprising a tube adapted for attachment to the muzzle of a firearm and forming a passage for the projectile and also having ports in its wall, a set of gas-diverting devices contained Within said tube, said devices being arranged in cooperative relation with the ports in the wall of such tube and having apertures for the passage of the projectile, and a plurality of non-communicating circumferentially spaced gasexpanding chambers having their walls curved transversely about different axes located exteriorly of said tube and having tangential passages whereby they receive and expand separate charges of the gases diverted from said tube through the ports therein.

4. A silencer for firearms comprising a tubular member adapted for attachment to the muzzle of a firearm andcontaining a set of longitudinally spaced gas-diverting devices, and a plurality of circumferentially spaced tubes applied exteriorly to said tubular member and extending longitudinally thereof, said exterior tubes being non-communicating and having tangential inlet passages for conducting separate charges of the diverted gas thereto.

5. A silencer for firearms comprising a tubular member adapted for attachment to the muzzle of a firearm and containing a set of longitudinally spaced gas-diverting devices, and a plurality of non-communicating gas expanding tubes applied exteriorly to said tubular member and extending longitudinally thereof, intercomnninicating passages being provided between the tubular member and the gas expanding tubes, such passages being connected tangentially to the respective gas expanding tubes.

6. A silencer for firearms comprising a tubular member adapted to receive the ex ploded gases from a firearm forming a passageway for the projectile, said member being provided with sets of circumferential ports in its wall, sets of gas-diverting devices contained Within said member and lccated to divert the gases and direct them through said sets of ports, a plurality of gas expanding tubes applied exteriorly to said member and extending longitudilmlly thereof, interconnnunicating passages being provided between the ports of said member and said tubes, said passages entering the gas expanding tubes tangentially, and par titions dividing each gas expanding tube in the direction of its length.

7. A silencer for firearms comprising a tubular member adapted to receive the exploded gases from a firearm and providing a passageway for the projectile, said member being provided with sets of lateral ports, a set of gas-diverting devices contained in said tubular member and spaced longitudinally thereof, each gas-diverting device having a portion in the form of a truncated cone having its apex directed toward the rear and its base at the inner circumference of the tubular member, each gas-diverting device being located between two adjacent sets of ports, a plurality of gas expanding tubes grouped about the exterior circumference of said tubular member, each gas expanding tube having a tangential passage comn'iunicating with a corresponding port in said tubular member, and longitudinally spaced partitions eon tained within each gas expanding tube and dividing the latter into individual compartments;

8. A gun silencer comprising a tube adapted for attachment to the muzzle of a gun and provided with longitudinally spaced sets of ports in its wall, the ports of each set being spaced circumferentially of the tube to divide the exploded gases into a plurality of separate charges, a set (:t' longitudinally spaced gas-diverting devices contained within the tube and operative to deflect the exploded gases through said to each of the longitudinally spaced ports ports, and a plurality of c rcumferentially spaced gas expanding chambers located exteriorly of said tube and having tangential inlet passages which connect them to receive and expand theseparate charges of gas from the respective longitudinally spaced ports in the tube.

9. A gun silencer comprising a tube adapted for attachment to the muzzle of a gun and provided with longitudinal rows of ports in its Wall for the discharge of the exploded gases, a setof gas diverting devices contained within the tube and operative to deflect the exploded gases through said ports, and a set of individual circumferentially spaced and longitudinally extending gas expanding chambers located exteriorly of said tube and having circumferentiall tangential inlet passages which connect tiem to receive and expand separate charges of the exploded gases discharged thrbugh the respective longitudinal rows of ports in said tube.

10. A un silencer comprising a casing adapted or attachment to the muzzle of a gun and having a wall provided with longitudinally spaced ports and forming an inner chamber containing a set of gas diverting devices for deflecting the exploded gases through the ports in said Wall, and a longitudinally extending gas expanding chamber curved transversely about an axis located exteriorly of said ported wall and having a tangential passage connecting it in said wall whereby the exploded gases are divided into separate charges which are gzpanded in said exterior expansion cham- 11. A silencer for firearms comprising a casing adapted for attachment to the muzzle of a firearm and containing a set of longitudinally spaced gas diverting devices and also havlng a set of transversely curved longitudinally extending and non-communicating gas expanding chambers which are grouped circumferentlally with respect to the gas diverting devices and are connected by circumferentially tangential passages'to receive and individually expand divided portions of the exploded gases therefrom.

12. A silencer for firearms comprising a tube adapted for attachment to the muzzle of a firearm and having ports in its wall for the discharge of the exploded gases, and a separate tubular gas-expanding chamber having a tangential inlet passage which connects it to receive the exploded gases discharged through said ports and having a curved wall, the axis of which is located exteriorly of said tube.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand in presence of two subscribing witnesses.

WILLIS R. GRAY.

Witnesses:

JAMES L. NORRIS, Jr., CHAS. S. HYER. 

